Gilbert Burns is worried about what might happen to the welterweight division if Jorge Masvidal becomes champion.
Burns originally was slated to challenge welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the UFC 251 main event, but was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.
Instead, Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) will step in on just six days’ notice to face Usman (16-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) this Saturday at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
Burns (18-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) is hoping to fight the winner but thinks if Masvidal beats Usman, his chances for the next title shot will be significantly lower.
“If Masvidal wins, things are gonna get crazy. We’re gonna get a circus in that division,” Burns told ESPN. “I think he’s gonna fight Conor or Nate Diaz. I don’t think the division will run correctly like No. 1, No. 2 guys fighting for the title. He’s gonna make a mess. That’s why I want Kamaru to win, too, and I think I’ll be next. If Masvidal wins it’s gonna be a mess in that division. Things are gonna get crazy.”
It’s been a wild week for Masvidal, who quickly came to terms with the UFC when he was offered the fight after more than a month of publicly disputing his contract situation. He flew out to Las Vegas on Sunday to get tested for COVID-19, a mandatory step before flying to “Fight Island.”
After passing the test, he hopped onto a flight to Abu Dhabi on Monday and has a sizable weight cut ahead of him, with “Gamebred” revealing to ESPN that he weighed 192 pounds on Saturday.
Considering the short notice call-up, Burns doesn’t like Masvidal’s chances on the night.
“I think it’ll be a hard fight for Masvidal,” Burns said. “Especially we know his lifestyle here in Florida. They might make it up for the TV, for you guys, but we know. He goes crazy. He doesn’t eat good – he was just on the Brazilian barbecue, making a post the other day, and his shape doesn’t lie. The first picture that I saw, he’s getting tested, he’s got skinny arms and a big belly, so I don’t think he’ll be in good shape.
“I think if both had a big training camp, I think the fight would be different. I think Masvidal is very dangerous. But as of right now, the way I see it, it’s Kamaru. Go out there, take him down and smash him – make sure he gets very tired, beat him up for two, three rounds, stay in his face. I think Masvidal is tough enough to make it to a decision, but I think Masvidal’s only chance will be in the first two rounds where he’ll be fresh.”
Gilbert Burns: If Jorge Masvidal beats Kamaru Usman at UFC 251, 'we're gonna get a circus'